Universe Fine-Tuned for Life? New Book

[♦ ficino ♦]

A review of a new book by two physicists. It argues for theism on the fine-tuned universe angle. 

 

The review does not make the book sound all that compelling to me. In case anyone is interested, here is the review:

 

http://ndpr.nd.edu/news/a-fortunate-universe-life-in-a-finely-tuned-cosmos/

[Joshpantera]

Here we go again. Fine tuned like a universal guitar, tuned by goddy hendrix up on stage at the end of a song. Stretching out those bends, bringing it back in tune again. Laying out those blues and jazz with gritty distortion. Oh that goddy hendrix, what an all knowing, all powerful, all presence. 

 

And then wait, oh no, not actually fine tuned after all. 

 

Back to the drawing board guys!

[☆ pantheory ☆]

ficino,

 

Fine tuning has been a long established problem in physics. The problem is that the majority of theoreticians believe that the so-called cosmological constants are independent from each other and from other aspects of reality. From this perspective some have proposed that different values of them could lead to a very different world. The link you posted follows that point of view in that if reality were somehow fine-turned, or fine tuned for life since here we are, then who was the fine tuner? implying the existence of god.

 

A contrary point of view is that all cosmological constants and other aspects of reality are intertwined with each other. If a so-called cosmological constant could be changed somehow it would soon go back to its original value and state.  Gravity and magnetism are examples. From this alternative perspective, the one that I adhere to,  there is no fine tuning problem at all. Reality could not have been different in any fundamental way hence such alternative realities such as many worlds and multiverses cannot exist. From this perspective it would be impossible to have a reality without any universe at all,  and equally impossible to have realities involving different types of universes having  different constant values which would create different appearances and conditions. Science as a whole does not support either side of these disagreements since neither perspective is based upon a consensus of mainstream-science or support., because both sides involve conjecture, opinions and speculation,

 

Such assertions and speculations in science such as fine-tuning invite religious arguments against science as well as speculations galore, to the glee of countless religious supporters and science-fiction buffs.

[bornagainathiest]

Luke Barnes' blog looks interesting.

 

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~luke/blog/

 

 

[☆ pantheory ☆]

 

Luke Barnes' blog looks interesting.

 

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~luke/blog/

 

 

 

A large number of  relevant discussions in this blog summary.